10 Best Ever Reasons For Wrestling Storyline Exits

2. CM Punk Quits Ring Of Honor To Reinforce It As THE Babyface Territory

Summer Of Punk
ROHWrestling.com

CM Punk's exit from Ring Of Honor, in 2005, was phenomenal in its inspiration.

Immediately after winning what was then the mark of cult prestige, the ROH World Championship - and the respect of the crowd - Punk turned on them. He used that adulation as momentum, and once over the line, he turned on them like the self-described snake he always was. The snake subsequently threatened to leave the promotion with its top title, its identity, over his cold shoulder.

CM Punk, before that promo, was their guy.

He was the Ring Of Honor representative set to refashion WWE in his - their - image. He was their taste-making influence, manifest. When he dropped the mic, all of a sudden, he was a sell-out. He also, all of a sudden, wasn't very good, somehow. The guy beloved as the greatest promo in the business was blasted with chants of "Shut the f*ck up!" Punk was going to fail in WWE now. This sentiment ignited the support of the cult fandom in the direction of whomever would claim back their property.

"Your shining wizard sucks!" one fan yelled, from a place of heartbreak, minutes before CM Punk signed his WWE contract on the belt in a tremendous follow-up angle.

"Freedom my freaking butt," wrote YouTube user 'Trever Cosby' two years ago.

This promo is still working them.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!